Budget carriers enjoy unfair subsidies in Italy, ITA head tells paper (huilie, huilie)
10:11 19/10/2021
MILAN, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Low cost carriers in Italy are given an advantage by the unfair subsidies they receive from small airports, the chairman of Alitalia successor ITA Airways told the Corriere della sera on Tuesday, asking for equal treatment for the new airline.
The new company, owned by Italy's finance ministry, started flying on Friday with a fleet of 52 jets, less than half of that of Alitalia.
In the domestic market, ITA faces tough competition from budget airlines including Ryanair and Wizz Air , which have expanded their routes in Italy after clinching deals with local airports, including Venice.
"If there are local administrations or airports that want to give incentives, let them give them to everyone, including us," ITA Airways Chairman Alfredo Altavilla told the newspaper.
"I do not find this unequal treatment acceptable," Altavilla said, adding that during the pandemic the budget carriers deserted the Italian market to leave Alitalia alone in guaranteeing international connections for Italians.
"During the COVID period the low cost airlines fled, while Alitalia brought the Italians back home. When it's winter, the low cost airlines cut their frequencies and Alitalia stayed to fly. It's not fair," ITA chairman told Corriere.
The former top executive of carmaker Fiat said that ITA Airways would be willing to fly to small airports in exchange for subsidies.
Talking about the future strategy, Altavilla said ITA Airways wanted to join an alliance of other full-service carriers and could bring some good assets to its partners.
"A cost base... that Air France, KLM and Lufthansa do not have. That's why I bring additional value to them despite being smaller. I would also bring Milan Linate's precious (airport) slots and a hub like Rome Fiumicino," Altavilla said.
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''.The new company, owned by Italy's finance ministry'' !!!
realisme en de Italiaanse markt...het is geen goede match...